Seems that the aircraft impacted somewhere on the 10th floor, about halfway up the building. CNN reports that the ceiling in NYC is at 1800 ft., well above the level of the building. Clear air below. Structure is on fire both on the 10th floor and on the ground.

The building is located on 524 East 72nd Street. The crash affected parts of the 44th and 45th floors. The general belief is that this is a Helicopter crash. There is a Heliport - JRB, on East 34th Street alongside the East River. Which is near to the crash site.

The only plane I ever see going up and down the east river is a seaplane that takes off from around 34th and the East River. It's quite infrequent. Also, that area is relatively close to LGA and must be pretty restrictive.

Again, I'd much rather be safe than sorry in this situation. What would people be saying if NORAD hadn't scrambled fighters after an aircraft hit a building in a major metropolitan area? Damned if you do, damned if you don't, I guess.

New airplanes, new employees, low fares, all touchy-feely ... all of them are losers. -Gordon Bethune

I have a feeling that the current policy is to launch as soon as the first word comes in that a plane has hit a building, not wait a minute or two until basic information like type and flight plan can be determined. Remember that in all the confusion of 9/11 some people thought a light aircraft was invovled, not an airliner.

Quoting N844AA (Reply 29):I can't think of a another context in which I'd more rather be safe than sorry.

Exactly. In the grand scheme of things a few CAP jets is a simple precaution.

The NORAD response is interesting... while I'm glad they are on the ball, I find it hard to believe that they would scramble because something of Cessna size hit a building. Did they scramble when that plane hit a building in Tampa after 9/11??

I am glad knowing we aren't sitting around twiddling our thumbs when something happens. I'd rather be safe than sorry. I can hear another F-16 leaving March ARB right now... I feel relaxed knowing these guys are doing their job. Even as this isn't likely terrorism it's good to know they are prepared and are ready to respond for when the real thing happens.

Quoting Nkops (Reply 40):The NORAD response is interesting... while I'm glad they are on the ball, I find it hard to believe that they would scramble because something of Cessna size hit a building. Did they scramble when that plane hit a building in Tampa after 9/11??

Its entirely possible that a group of terrorists rented small planes and is commencing an attack.

The FBI have now realesed a statement to the BBC saying that this is not terrorist related. Lastest pics show that the fire is still blazing. (Watching ABC on-line). All roads around the building have been closed off due to the fact that ambulances and fire engines are blocking them. Are there any reports of injuries / fatalities??

JG

First Class passengers are my favourites. They can't get any further forward without an ATPL.